You need a tax professional if you want anything like solid facts. I mean, really the US tax system is so complex that there really isn't any such thing as a "

You need a tax professional if you want anything like solid facts. I mean, really the US tax system is so complex that there really isn't any such thing as a "solid fact" - It's law. Complex law. there is precedent, sure, but it's never 100%. Advice from HN won't cover your ass when the IRS comes knocking. Now, a tax professional doesn't absolutely cover your ass, either, but aside from the fact that they are probably right more often than random people on the Internet, it does go towards the "I was trying to follow the law" bit, and will probably result in lighter penalties even if you are still at fault.